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Rebel Wilson apologizes after claiming to be first plus-size rom-com star

Posted at 9:31 AM, Nov 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-06 09:35:27-05

Rebel Wilson stirred controversy recently when she announced she was the first plus-size woman to star in a romantic comedy and has now apologized for it.

In a recent appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” the Australian actress talked about her role in the upcoming film “Isn’t it Romantic.”

(Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for MTV)

“I’m kind of proud to be the first ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy,” Wilson said.

Twitter was quick to point out that other plus-size actresses such as Ricki Lake, Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique (all of whom are now more svelte than in the past) had starred in rom-coms.

Wilson defended her comment with tweets of her own.”Yeah I of course know of these movies but it was questionable as to whether: 1. Technically those actresses were plus size when filming those movies or 2. Technically those films are catorgorized/billed as a studio rom-com with a sole lead,” the “Pitch Perfect” star tweeted. “So there’s a slight grey area.”

That caused Mo’Nique to tweet Wilson.

“Hey my sweet sister. Let’s please not allow this business to erase our talent with giving grey areas and technicalities,” Mo’Nique said. “Take a moment and know the history. DON’T BE A PART OF ERASING IT. I wish you the best.”

Many on social media questioned whether Wilson was doing a disservice to actresses of color such as Mo’Nique and Queen Latifah who had come before her.

Wilson responded to Mo’Nique, tweeting that “it was never my intention to erase anyone else’s achievements and I adore you and Queen Latifah so so much x I support all plus size ladies and everything positive we are doing together.”

After blocking a few people who tweeted their complaints, Wilson took to Twitter again Monday to offer an apology.